"It’s been a successful year for us, especially at U18 level winning the RAG Championship. However, at this stage of the season its about giving players opportunities, the platform to perform and express themselves and from a talent ID perspective, making sure we have a sound knowledge of players coming through our pathway.

“A priority as always is to ensure players who perform be it at U16 or U18 level are recognised and given the opportunity to develop and progress. We are looking forward to seeing how players have developed through the course of the season, see some new faces get an opportunity and play some positive, attacking rugby that we cultivate and encourage as a region.”

Meanwhile, following the conclusion of the WRU Regional Age-Grade Championships, East and West came together as 26 players were named in a strong combined Ospreys U16 squad for the forthcoming U16 tournament against combined regional squads.

After a hard month’s training the young squad are ready to kick off with their first game on Friday, against Dragons U16, at Ystrad Mynach Centre for Sporting Excellence, K.O 7:15pm.

"Since announcing the combined squad, the boys from the East and the West have come together well over the last couple of training weeks and really started to gel as a team. There will be lots of new combinations so the test will obviously come over the next 10 days with three games in that period. It's a chance for this group of players to carry on the good work done by the players and coaches from the East and West through the regular season.

“Myself, Andrew Bishop and the other coaches have been pleased with the boys attitude, work rate and willingness to learn in training especially with everything else that goes on for these players with exams coming at this time of year. Everyone is excited now to kick things off on Friday night. Hopefully over the three games the team’s performances will improve from game to game."